Topic: anyone use crown power amps here? (Read 2888 times)

RexAeterna · « **on:** November 27, 2014, 06:42:46 PM »

First off, happy thanksgiving everyone!

So before I was talking bout picking up a restored marantz 4300 for 250 from a friend. Said would hold it and not list it for me. He is not finish with it yet but will be sometime during December but, I got curious bout the Crown CE2000 I spotted locally for 225. I know using pro amps is no no for home use but are they that bad?

Take in mind whatever one I get I keep as a backup and might swap from time to time between my hk770 dual-mono power amp and my back up.

The crown looks super cool though with it's black and red color. The ce models are older models. Not sure how old but weighs close to the marantz 4300 at around 45lbs. Thing I like bout the crown is it's stable at nominal 2ohm loads while the marantz looks hefty it's highly recommended to drive nothing lower then 4ohm for the one pair/set. Marantz is known for their preamp boards failing too after awhile.

I obviously know the marantz is much prettier and will get me more resale value but my luck I never do good when it comes to trading or reselling for some odd reason. That's why im considering this.

Now are they that bad? I heard mixed things online but what you guys think? I still have plenty of time here to decide.

uncola · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2014, 07:48:54 PM »

I'm curious about these amps too. I know Marv recommends a class a/b pro amp. As a budget bang for buck prospect these seem pretty good if you have a high enough line level output on your preamp..

RexAeterna · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2014, 08:14:27 PM »

I use a balance echo audiofire 2 it's +4dbv output rated@bit above 1v and the CE2000 has a switch on the back for 1.4v(+4dbv) line level and 26db(-10dbu@0.775v) so im not too worried there. Seem people like them for infinity rs4's and kappa's cause those speakers impedance curve seems to stay @2ohms within the frequency band.

Other then that they're a mix bag. I know marv said stay away from QSC as far as pro amps are concerned.

I just for some reason got curious about the crown. If I go for this then I can't get the marantz. Not big deal to me if the crown is a better buy. I already have preamps if I need vinly use.

Only other pro amp brands I heard good of is crest, yamaha, and carver.

RexAeterna · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2014, 12:13:44 AM »

Any idea here? Reading bit online since they don't have high as a rep as the macro-tech stuff I can find them for 200 or bit lower depending. I might ask the seller if he can go 185 if I decide with this but the 4300 is 250 firm. If resale value was not a concern and just need something as back up and to use once in awhile, what would it be? Just curious.

RexAeterna · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2014, 02:23:22 AM »

Browsing around the CE2000 is class a/b bias and not the typical class d pro amps usually are. It has 24 t03 output transistors total. Looking online the inside them they look pretty simple and clean looking with super sized power supply.

I know some people think the the specs aren't the greatest with thd@0.15 percent at full output but that's not something i tend to think not the most important. It looks nice so this is a real consideration for me here but of course, curious what others opinions are since I still have plenty of time here.

I guessing the crown would eat the marantz a live? What bout sonic quality since it seems this crown is class a/b biased instead of typical class d design? I already know the marantz is class a/b since all if most home audio gear is. Sonic wise, what would come out better?

RexAeterna · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2014, 03:27:17 PM »

Since it seems no one has much experience with crown I decided im picking this up instead of the marantz. Will let people know how it turns out. It's supposed to be one of crown's last "big iron" amps before they went all out class d. Spec wise it seems to be a monster of an amp.will see how It sounds with my Technics SB7000A and polk monitor 10s. Will even try headphones off of it eventually as well.

I talked to the guy and he was willing to work with me. Gonna try meet with him sometime next week. It is in really good condition and not beat up or abused like most pro gear. This will be my first pro amp I will own for home audio use.

I was adamant about getting the marantz 4300 but I have a good feeling bout this crown amp though. Hopefully my intuition is good with me still as it has always been so far.

It is a crown though while Harman Kardon international first took over and not the early ones (forgot guys name) like the da-150/300a models. But the crowns though are still manufactured in the US. Only crown products produced in Japan is their digital stuff like cd players and so forth but read they're pretty crappy.

Let people know how it turns out.

firev1 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2014, 03:40:26 PM »

I don't know man Rex, the CE2000 looks like a beasty meant more for pure power for reinforcement, not for listening at home. Crown does have a Studio reference line that they bought over from this company called Amcron. One of my fav studios use Amcron's studio reference amps. They also have the K series amps which studios use as well.

RexAeterna · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2014, 04:30:05 PM »

Quote from: firev1 on November 29, 2014, 03:40:26 PM

I don't know man Rex, the CE2000 looks like a beasty meant more for pure power for reinforcement, not for listening at home. Crown does have a Studio reference line that they bought over from this company called Amcron. One of my fav studios use Amcron's studio reference amps. They also have the K series amps which studios use as well.

I know. I think it might not turn out too bad. It's actually basically built as an class a/b design and looks lot like any othe power amp I saw before. Looks nice inside and built well so it probably might surprise me. I know it's a no no going with class d power amps though.

I know of the k series and some of their studio references but never found any locally and cost a lot.

I read good things about the CE2000 though. Im mainly getting the crown as a backup. Probably perform better than the Yamaha m45 and R9 receiver. Was gonna get the marantz but reading bout problems with their preamp and tone boards always failing. I rather have another separate too to be honest. I read the crown is rock solid and very stable. I just have let my friend know that he can list the 4300 and sell it but he probably end up keeping it maybe.

When I get it I let people know how it turns out and will take pics. I was gonna go with adcom but I read they can be bit griany and have zero protection circuit and people had their adcoms randomly send surge of dc frying their speakers.

RexAeterna · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2014, 04:48:06 PM »

Just picked this beast up. Gonna hook it up soon I get back home to give it a listen. Built like a tank(litterly) with heavy steel chassie and nice rack handles.

Supposedly this class A/B amp can put out close to 1kw into a 2ohm load In stereo all day long. But of course power ain't everything.

Let people know how I like the CE2000 and will take pics when I get home.

Thad E Ginathom · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2014, 05:38:57 PM »

Be careful, especially with those new speakers. We don't want to hear any explosion stories!

Author Topic: anyone use crown power amps here? (Read 2888 times)

RexAeterna

anyone use crown power amps here?

uncola

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

RexAeterna

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

RexAeterna

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

RexAeterna

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

RexAeterna

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

firev1

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

RexAeterna

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

RexAeterna

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

Thad E Ginathom

Re: anyone use crown power amps here?

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Author Topic: anyone use crown power amps here? (Read 2888 times)